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Federal appeals court upholds Michigan law banning straight-ticket voting

sign that says vote here
Jodi Westrick
/
Michigan Radio

A federal appeals court restored a law Wednesday that bans Michigan voters from checking a single box to vote for all of a party's candidates.

That means in the November general election they’ll have to select each individual candidate.

In August, a U.S. district judge ruled the ban was unconstitutional because it could disproportionately affect African-American voters.

In Michigan's largest cities, the size of the black voting population often correlates with the number of straight-ticket votes.

But the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has restored the law.

Now if Michiganders want to vote for all of the candidates from one political party, they'll have to select each individual candidate.

Gov. Rick Snyder and other Republicans say the straight-ticket voting ban will inspire voters to study candidates instead of simply choosing a party.

Supporters say it could lead to long lines at the polls.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
Lauren Talley is Michigan Radio’s Morning Edition producer. She produces and edits studio interviews and feature stories, and helps manage the “Mornings in Michigan” series. Lauren also serves as the lead substitute host for Morning Edition.
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